A new training facility under construction in Samoa. The facility is part of the Australia-Pacific Technical College (APTC), an Australian government funded program offering exciting vocational training opportunities in the Pacific region. Training and educational opportunities open many new doors for people in the Pacific. The APTC aims to make quality vocational training available to everyone from Pacific Island Forum countries. APTC Campus, Apia, Samoa. Photo: Claire McGeechan, AusAID. Contact [email protected] to request a high resolution original.

A new training facility under construction in Samoa. The facility is part of the Australia-Pacific Technical College (APTC), an Australian government funded program offering exciting vocational training opportunities in the Pacific region. Training and educational opportunities open many new doors for people in the Pacific. The APTC aims to make quality vocational training available to everyone from Pacific Island Forum countries. APTC Campus, Apia, Samoa. Photo: Claire McGeechan, AusAID. Contact [email protected] to request a high resolution original.

A new training facility under construction in Samoa. The facility is part of the Australia-Pacific Technical College (APTC), an Australian government funded program offering exciting vocational training opportunities in the Pacific region. Training and educational opportunities open many new doors for people in the Pacific. The APTC aims to make quality vocational training available to everyone from Pacific Island Forum countries. APTC Campus, Apia, Samoa. Photo: Claire McGeechan, AusAID. Contact [email protected] to request a high resolution original.

Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries – Kamala Roberts, Sustainable crop production/insect management. Samoa. Photo: Claire McGeechan, AusAID. Contact [email protected] to request a high resolution original.

Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries – Vivian Thomson, Post Harvest Physiologist with the Crops Division. Samoa. Photo: Claire McGeechan, AusAID. Contact [email protected] to request a high resolution original.

A women’s group in Manono, a small island in Samoa, received 20 manual sewing machines through the AusAID Direct Aid Program. The sewing machines and accessories will assist the women to improve their sewing skills and increase their potential to earn an income. The program is also supported by the Samoan Ministry of Women and Social Development. The Direct Aid Program provides support through a Small Grants Scheme for small-scale community development activities. Photo: Claire McGeechan, AusAID. Contact [email protected] to request a high resolution original.

A man is rescued as part of an emergency simulation on Manila Bay involving the Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine Navy, the National Disaster Coordinating Council and the Japanese Coast Guard. The sea demonstration involved passengers jumping from a distressed vessel in to Manila Bay followed by the Philippine coast Guard dropping rescue divers from a helicopter to their aid. Once brought to shore a medical team provided immediate assistance. The simulation was part of an ASEAN disaster response exercise. Photo: Claire McGeechan, AusAID. Contact [email protected] to request a high resolution original.

‘Victims’ are rescued as part of an emergency simulation on Manila Bay involving the Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine Navy, the National Disaster Coordinating Council and the Japanese Coast Guard. The sea demonstration involved passengers jumping from a distressed vessel in to Manila Bay followed by the Philippine coast Guard dropping rescue divers from a helicopter to their aid. Once brought to shore a medical team provided immediate assistance. The simulation was part of an ASEAN disaster response exercise. Photo: Claire McGeechan, AusAID. Contact [email protected] to request a high resolution original.

A boy is rescued as part of an emergency simulation on Manila Bay involving the Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine Navy, the National Disaster Coordinating Council and the Japanese Coast Guard. The sea demonstration involved passengers jumping from a distressed vessel in to Manila Bay followed by the Philippine coast Guard dropping rescue divers from a helicopter to their aid. Once brought to shore a medical team provided immediate assistance. The simulation was part of an ASEAN disaster response exercise. Photo: Claire McGeechan, AusAID. Contact [email protected] to request a high resolution original.

Engineers work on the construction of a hanging footbridge as part of an ASEAN disaster response exercise in Sapang Bato, Philippines. In the life-threatening event of a typhoon or a tsunami, getting residents from one side of the river to the other is critical in order to ensure their safety and reliable access to medical care. Photo: Claire McGeechan, DFAT.

Sapang Bato, Philippines. Engineers from the Australian Defence Force participated in an ASEAN disaster response exercise which included providing a cleaner, healthier water supply for the local people through the construction of a much-needed water purification system and a well. Photo: Claire McGeechan, AusAID. Contact [email protected] to request a high resolution original.

Sapang Bato, Philippines. Engineers from the Australian Defence Force participated in an ASEAN disaster response exercise which included providing a cleaner, healthier water supply for the local people through the construction of a much-needed water purification system and a well. Photo: Claire McGeechan, AusAID. Contact [email protected] to request a high resolution original.

AusAID and WFP visit Ban Pachoukapa village where AusAID supports a WFP school feeding program, Laos, 2011. Photo: Claire McGeechan, AusAID

Quizzy, an Australian born and trained customs dog, sniffs out cocaine planted on an inbound boat during a training exercise at Apia Port, Samoa. Two dogs have been trained to assist with Customs and Police work through the AusAID funded Samoa Police Project. The $15 million project aims to strengthen the capacity of the Samoa Police Service to support a safer Samoa. Photo: Claire McGeechan, AusAID. Contact [email protected] to request a high resolution original.

The construction of a combined Police Headquarters and Apia Police Station is part of the AusAID funded Samoa Police Project. The $15 million project is building the capacity of the Samoa Police Service to support a safer Samoa. Police Headquarters, Apia, Samoa. Photo: Claire McGeechan, AusAID. Contact [email protected] to request a high resolution original.

Samoan Police officers interview two men about a police matter in their new Mobile Police Unit. The Unit enables Samoan Police to increase their presence in the community and was funded through the AusAID Samoa Police Project. The $15 million project aims to strengthen the capacity of the Samoa Police Service to support a safer Samoa. Apia, Samoa. Photo: Claire McGeechan, AusAID. Contact [email protected] to request a high resolution original.

Quizzy, an Australian born and trained customs dog, sniffs out cocaine planted on an inbound boat during a training exercise at Apia Port, Samoa. Two dogs have been trained to assist with Customs and Police work through the AusAID funded Samoa Police Project. The $15 million project aims to strengthen the capacity of the Samoa Police Service to support a safer Samoa. Photo: Claire McGeechan, AusAID. Contact [email protected] to request a high resolution original.